The USS Gerald R. Ford, a US aircraft carrier, has departed from its station in Souda Bay, Crete, coinciding with the start of a new round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concerning Iran's nuclear program. These talks were facilitated by Oman’s foreign minister in Geneva, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic engagements after a period of heightened military presence by the US in the region. The Pentagon has refrained from commenting on the deployment, directing inquiries to Washington instead.

Previously, in 2022, former President Donald Trump had authorized a series of strikes against Iran and had repeatedly threatened military action should Iran fail to reach a new agreement pertaining to its controversial nuclear program. There are concerns among Western nations that Iran is advancing towards developing an atomic weapon. This backdrop of military readiness underscores the high stakes involved in the ongoing negotiations, with the US maintaining a significant military presence in the Middle East.

As of now, the US has more than a dozen warships stationed in the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers, and three coastal combat ships. The rare sight of two US aircraft carriers in the region simultaneously highlights the United States' commitment to monitoring and influencing the developments in Iran while also leveraging military presence as a negotiating tool during these sensitive diplomatic talks.